G2E1 2024 Intro to Block with Coral Bleaching PDF

BioL2X: Genomes to Ecosystems (G2E) Introduction Lecturer today: Dr Denise Hough [email protected] Block Lead: Dr Anna McGregor BioL2X – Course Structure Fundamental Molecular Biology Fundamental Skills Genomes to Ecosystems Systems to Cells Microbes and the Immune System Age...

BioL2X: Genomes to Ecosystems (G2E) Introduction Lecturer today: Dr Denise Hough [email protected] Block Lead: Dr Anna McGregor BioL2X – Course Structure Fundamental Molecular Biology Fundamental Skills Genomes to Ecosystems Systems to Cells Microbes and the Immune System Ageing and Disease  BioL2X – G2E Block Aims Understand dynamics of genetic and ecological change in biological systems, from genomes to ecosystems. Apply evolutionary, ecological, and molecular-genetic principles to a wide range of topics, from sexual conflict to climate change Appreciate that zoologists and ecologists can wear lab coats too and aren’t all (just) smoothie drinking softies.  G2E – A blatant piece of advertising for next semester: Biol2A: Animal Biology, Evolution and Ecology Radiations and Evolution and The Living together Extinctions Diversity Anthropocene  BioL2X – G2E Block Content Evolution and Evolutionary Natural Genetics Ecosyste Selection m good Radiation & and services Genomes extinction to Measuring Issues in Aquatic Ecosyste species diversity Conservatio ms n Individuals, Communities Environmenta Migrations and l Populations Conservation & Protection  The thinking behind genomes to ecosystems: how do biological processes ‘progress’ and scale ? Ecological succession – a constant state of flux Have a play with Google Earth Timelapse (1984-present): https://earthengine.google.com/timelapse/  The thinking behind genomes to ecosystems: how do biological processes progress and scale ? Worlds within worlds enomes to Ecosystems Exemplar: Coral Bleach Coral bleaching exemplar within G2E Framewor Evolution and Evolutionary Natural Genetics Ecosyste Selection m good Radiation & and services Genomes extinction to Measuring Issues in Aquatic Ecosyste species diversity Conservatio ms n Individuals, Communities Environmenta Migrations and l Populations Conservation & Protection Coral Bleaching: Relationship turns sour Coral bleaching exemplar within G2E Framewor Evolution and Evolutionary Natural Genetics Ecosyste Selection m good Radiation & and services Genomes extinction to Measuring Issues in Aquatic Ecosyste species diversity Conservatio ms n Individuals, Communities Environmenta Migrations and l Populations Conservation & Protection  Coral Bleaching: Reef distribution allow water coral ecosystems distributed around the tropics eptionally biodiverse (830 K metazoan species) al number of all marine species estimates at 1.5 million (>50% in coral) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2014.12.022  Coral Bleaching: a happy couple Corals live in shallow, warm water, nutrient poor waters Corals are colonial cnidarians and feed on zooplankton Corals have evolved facultative endosymbiosis with zooxanthellae dinoflagellate algae to provide vital additional nutrients 90% of algal nutrients are used by coral, including two essential amino acids Algae get a nutrient rich stable refuge, coral gets food Evidence of genomic co-evolution & co-adaptation Michael Stat, Emily Morris, and Ruth D. Gates Zooxanthellae clades Functional diversity are specific in coral–dinoflagellate symbiosis PNAS 2008 105 (27) 9256-9261; to particular coral families  Coral Bleaching: Reef radiations in the cenozoic Cycles of radiation and extinctions of current coral families (Scleractinians) Major extinction events correspond to rapid and cataclysmic environmental changes Radiations – favorable habitats, ocean physicochemistry. George D. Stanley, The evolution of modern corals and their early history, Earth-Science Reviews, Volume 60, Issue 3, 2003, Pages 195-225, Next extinction? - Coral bleaching exemplar within G2E Framewor Evolution and Evolutionary Natural Genetics Ecosyste Selection m good Radiation & and services Genomes extinction to Measuring Issues in Aquatic Ecosyste species diversity Conservatio ms n Human impacts Individuals, Communities Environmenta Migrations and l Populations Conservation & Protection Coral Bleaching: Relationship turns sour Under stressful conditions, algae produce clouds of reactive oxygen species ROS cause oxidative damage, DNA mutations, cell death The coral boots them out ! What stressful conditions ? Many of these are man made (law of unintended consequences)  Coral Bleaching: Highly sensitive to environment stressors – many man-made Sea surface CO2 emissions and temperature increases climate change Increased solar irradiance Ozone depletion Silt deposition (anoxia) Deforestation Prey overabundance (anoxia) Overfishing Coral Bleaching: Species interactions Mutualist ecosystem engineers with a tempestuous relationship Coral bleaching exemplar within G2E Framewor Evolution and Evolutionary Natural Genetics Ecosyste Selection m good Radiation & and services Genomes extinction to Measuring Issues in Aquatic Ecosyste species diversity Conservatio ms n Individuals, Communities Environmenta Migrations and l Populations Conservation & Protection  Coral Bleaching: ecosystem services What ‘services’ are human populations provided by any given ecosystem and can we assign that any value ? Habitat for fisheries Biodiversity Tourism $ Medicine / Drug discovery Coastal protection Carbon sinks Monetising ecosystem services is an important means for ecologists and conservation biologists to engage with gov’t and industry Coral bleaching exemplar within G2E Framewor Evolution and Evolutionary Natural Genetics Ecosyste Selection m good Radiation & and services Genomes extinction to Measuring Issues in Aquatic Ecosyste species diversity Conservatio ms n Individuals, Communities Environmenta Migrations and l Populations Conservation & Protection  Coral Bleaching: conservation and protection Marine Protected Areas can provide conservation status and prevent physical damage to reef and associated animal and plant communities (fishing etc) Only 0.5% ocean ‘no-take’, 4% protected However, it is likely that the main driver of coral bleaching is more intangible and much harder to address – ie climate change Double edged sword of increased oceanic CO2 is acidification which makes carbonate deposition all the harder Evolution - is time running out ? Is change of environment outpacing potential for adaption and resilience ?? =  G2E: Take homes Hopefully you are closer to appreciating the oneness of everything The aim was to show you that intimate cellular interactions can have massive consequences on a global ecological scale. G2E should cover all the important themes in the context of this and many other examples Hold on to your hats, buckle up for very diverse exploration of life in all its forms Martin Llewellen will see you next in the lecture on Evolution and Natural Selection